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Darvish's spectacular play gets help from replay

Rangers win challenge on out at third base; Yu then gets out of jam

5/4/14: The Rangers challenge the safe call on a force attempt at third base in the 2nd, and after review the call is overturned

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- A terrific defensive play by Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish helped him get out of a second-inning jam on Sunday.

He just needed a little help from replay to get the pivotal out.

"Huge turnaround," Rangers manager Ron Washington said after the game.

The Angels, trailing 5-2, had C.J. Cron at second and Collin Cowgill at first with one out in the second inning when the play occurred. Erick Aybar hit a slow roller to the left of the mound. Darvish scrambled to field it and flipped it backhanded to Adrian Beltre covering third base.

"Initially when I went after it, I knew the hitter was Aybar and he got a speedy start," Darvish said. "I knew the runner at second had a late start so I knew I had a chance at third base."

"I was just hoping he wasn't going to throw it to first," Washington said. "I didn't know how he was going to get it to third but he showed some athleticism."

The toss beat Cron but third-base umpire Lance Barrett ruled Beltre had come off the bag. Beltre immediately motioned to Washington to challenge the call. Washington did and the call was overturned.

"I saw he was out," Beltre said. "I knew I was off the bag because I had to watch for the throw. But once I caught the ball, I stepped on the bag and I saw him slide in. I was pretty sure he was going to be out unless they didn't find a good angle."

"It was a pretty good play getting that out," Beltre said. "It changed the game. They were coming back. If they have Trout up there -- one of the best hitters in the game -- with the bases loaded and one out, I don't know what would have happened after that. But that was a big break for us."